• In these grim times, with an epidemic lurking and floods rising, we could all do with something cheery to distract us. Thank goodness, then, for a new recording from pianist Mark Bebbington and conductor Jan Latham-Koenig of the charmingly effervescent Poulenc Piano Concerto (Resonus). As Poulenc’s biographer remarked: “It is a concerto of tunes rather than themes, which is one of its main merits.”
Instead of grand, virtuosic gestures, the piece skips from one playful idea to another, never taking itself too seriously. That’s not to say that it isn’t beautiful; the gentle opening theme is distinctly memorable and the slow movement quietly profound, but the general impression is one of light-hearted cheekiness. Bebbington captures the mood perfectly, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on sparkling form.
This hugely rewarding recording also features the piano version of Poulenc’s Concert champêtre (written for harpsichord and orchestra) and his characteristically quicksilver Trio for Piano and Bassoon and Sonata for Oboe and Piano, superbly played by oboist John Roberts and bassoonist Jonathan Davies.
• Last spring, Hubert Parry’s 1888 Old Testament oratorio Judith was dragged out of obscurity by conductor William Vann in a well-received revival at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Now, the same performers who brought it back to life have released a studio recording on the Chandos label. Soloists Sarah Fox, Kathryn Rudge, Toby Spence and Henry Waddington are joined by the Crouch End Festival Chorus and London Mozart Players. It’s all you might imagine a grand piece by Parry to be: resolute, bold, melodic – and surprising: the tune for the hymn Dear Lord and Father of Mankind was lifted directly from this piece. Vann and his excellent forces make a convincing case for more performances.
• On Radio 3 at 1pm today (then on BBC Sounds), seven very different composers present a movement each of a newly commissioned a cappella choral work entitled Seven Ages of Woman, to mark International Women’s Day. Each composer represents her own decade, from Helena Paish in her teens to Rhian Samuel in her 70s, with texts ranging from Charlotte Brontë to Marina Tsvetaeva – all sung by the always reliable BBC Singers.
